DE Online Desk:
In an unprecedented move, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has announced the dates for the next three IPL seasons. Of immediate interest is the 2025 season, slated to run from March 14 (Friday) to May 25 (Sunday).
The BCCI has also disclosed the schedules for the following two seasons:
• 2026: March 15 (Sunday) to May 31 (Sunday)
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• 2027: March 14 (Sunday) to May 30 (Sunday)
These timelines were officially communicated to the franchises on Friday morning.
The early announcement of the league schedule marks a refreshing shift from the BCCI and IPL officials, who have often waited until the last minute to release the dates in previous years. The reason for this change, however, is not quite difficult to discern: the league now benefits from a clearly defined international window.
Meanwhile, the BCCI has confirmed the availability of Jofra Archer for the season. The Barbados-born English bowler, considered a high impact player in the league, will be available for the full season. In fact, he has made himself available fully for all the three seasons of the current cycle.
Overseas players’ availability for IPL 2025-27
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In a boost for IPL teams, players from most major cricket nations, except Pakistan, have been cleared to participate in the next three IPL seasons. Pakistan’s players have not been part of the IPL since the first season in 2008 due to political issues.
Australia: Cricket Australia (CA) has approved its top players for the IPL. However, in 2026, Australian players involved in an ODI series against Pakistan (ending by March 18) or resting after the T20 World Cup (February-March) will join the IPL later. In 2027, Australian players taking part in a special Test match against England in March will arrive after that event.
England: The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has confirmed 18 centrally contracted players for the next three IPL seasons, including Jofra Archer, Harry Brook, Jos Buttler, Sam Curran, and Liam Livingstone. Notably, Ben Stokes is missing from the list.
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Some of these players may lose their central contracts during 2025-27, but they will remain available for the IPL while under contract. Non-contracted players will be fully available.
South Africa, New Zealand, West Indies, Afghanistan, Zimbabwe: Players from these nations will be fully available for the next three seasons.
Sri Lanka: Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) stated that all its players will be available for 2025, and retained players will also participate in 2026 and 2027.
Bangladesh: The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) provided a list of 13 players who could be available for varying periods over the next three seasons. The list includes Shakib Al Hasan, Taskin Ahmed, and Mustafizur Rahman.
